Electrical switch



G. A. YANOCHOWSKI.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I6, 1917.

Patented Oct. 18, 1921.

W 5 E5 [22 1/527 [[7]? Feargefi/anfldwwskz' GEORGE A. Y ANOCHOWSKI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGN OR TO KELLOGG SWITCH- BOARD ANDSUPPLY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ACORPQRATION OF ILLI- N OIS.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Application filed April 16, 1917.

7 To all whom z't may concern.

,Be it known that I, GEORGE A. YANooHowsKI, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates toelectrical switches or circuit closers for use in completing electrical circuits, and has to do more particularly with actuating buttons for use on automobiles or the like forcontrolling signaling circuits for electrically actuated horns or warning devices. I

()ne of the objects of my invention is to dispense with the small push button formerly employed for such purposes and to provide a simple, compact arrangement havinga plurality of stationary contacts and a single manually shiftable contact for engaging with-any one of saidstationary contacts and which, therefore, can be more conveniently and quickly operated than the ordinary circuit closer employed where a small button must be shifted.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device that may be operated by an actuating force applied from various angles,

that is, the actuating member need not be operated from a perpendicularly applied force, but may be given a slanting blow and device.

' A further object of my invention is to provide the above-desoribed device with a rubbing or sliding contact, thereby insuring a good cleancontact for each operation of the actuating member. r

It is also a further object of my invention to produce an improved device of the class described which embodies desirable features and advantages all in a simple, efficient and economical manner, and to the accomplishment of this object and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the novel-details of the construction, parts and combination of parts hereinafter described. and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part thereofin which the same reference characters indicate like parts throu hout theseveral views, and. in which operated to close the circuit of the warning Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 18, 1921. Serial No. 162,388. I

terminal of the device;

Fig. 5 is a top view of Fig. 4.

Referring now more in detail to my invention as illustrated, it comprises an actuating member or button 2 formed of insu lating material, and a hollow cylindrical housing or casing 3 into which fits the circuit closing mechanism of my invention.

The housing 3 is mounted on the upper portion of the steering shaft of an automobile and is provided with an annular semi-circular outwardly extended portion 26 over which the cylindrical flange portion 27 of the button 2 fits. The circuit closing mechanism includes an nverted cylindrical cup 4 adapted to fit into the housing 3 and is provided with a flange 5 which rides upon the upper end surface 6 of the said housing member A groove 7 extends around the cylindrical cup 4 and is adapted to receive the extended end of a set screw 8, which has screw-threaded engagement with drilled and tapped hole 2% in theinclosing housing 3. A cylindrical disk 9 formed of insulating material such as bakelite or any other suitable material is provided of a. size to just fit snugly in the housing 3 and rests against the extended end of the member 25 and is held in position by the cylindrical cup-shaped member 4. Centrally attached to'the disk 9 is a split cup-shaped member 10 provided with a plu rality of integrally formed flexible, shiftable contact partsll. The bottom portion ofsaid cup 10 is shaped somewhat like the frustum of a cone and is provided with an annular recess 12 through which a rivet 14 is passed to secure the said cup l0'to the cylindrical disk '9. y

circular orifice 15 is provided in the uppercircular plate-like portion of the cylindrical cup 4. A'manually shiftable'stud l7 is-provided at its one extremity with a spherically be;- 22 of a diameter slightly less than the shaped integrally formed mem- V to make rubbing contact with the flexible parts 11 of the said cup 10. The other extremity of the member 17 is provided with threads'for screw-threaded engagement with a nut 18 which is firmly set in the button 2. The button 2 may be cast of bakelite or any other suitable insulating material and if cast of bakelite'the nut 18' may be formed in the button 2 at the time that it is cast.

The cylindrical portion 16 of the member 17 is slightly less in'd-iameter thanthe said orifice 15 in the cup 4 and immediately adjacent the cylindrical portion 16 of the member 17 is a circular-flange 19 which rests against the under side of the said upper plate-like portion-20ofthe cylindrical cup 1 and is of a diameter considerably larger than the diameter of the 0rifice"15. The orifice 15 in the plate-like portion '20 of the cylindrical cup 4, is of-a size not to permit theshifting of the member 17 when it is in its normal position into engagement with the inner periphery 'ofthe cup '10. The orifice 15 is only enough larger than the portion 16 of the member17-to permit the movablecontact 22 toenga-ge the cup 10 when the flange of the actuating member is rocked about the lower surface ofthe plate-like portion-20 of the-[cup elas a fulcrum. 1

A coiled spring 21 isprovided and encircles the cylindrical portion 16ofthe member 17 rbetween the upper face of the disklik'e portion 20 of the cup l andtheunder surface of the cap 2 and maintains the member-17 in its normalposition. One'endof a conductor 23' islfitted into the rivet--14 which is, in turn, iii-electrical contact with the cup 10, thereby formingone terminal of the switch device, and spherical ball 22 forms the other terminalo'fthe device. The conductor 23 extends down through the steering column-that supports the steering wheel and spark and throttle control'levers to one terminal of a hornor to one-terminal of a battery. The other terminal of the battery is preferably connected tothe frameof the 331$ i v. i i .7. Having' described the parts that go to makeup my complete device, I will-now explain its function-and use.-

a force is"appl'ed vertically' to the button; 2, as bythe hand oflthe-operator driving the car,'tlie said button "2 is forced downward against the tension of spring 21 and the spherical-10211122 engages" the parts 11 of the cup 10' an d forces them' outwardly a predetermined amount before the said-ball 22 engagesthe rivet 14;. The ball 22 sliding along-the parts 11 of the cup 10-makes fa r rubbing contact-therewith thus insuring -'-a good contact and closing the c'ircuit ofthe warn-ing devi'ce or; electrically actuated horn 80 over a circuit-tracedfrom one-pole of the 30 and from the other terminal ofthe'. horn back to -the other pole of the batteryB.

Now should the actuatingvforce be applied near the periphery of the button 2 themeinber 17 will rock about a point opposite the side wherethefo'ree is applied, a'portion of the outer periphery of the flange 19 rocking on the disk portion 20 o'f'the cup as a fulcrum, thus causing the ball 20' to mov'elaty flndi'to g g n'eor more parts-'11 of the cup '10," forcing them outwardly a slight amount; thereby causing I a: rubbing contact therewith andclosing-the circuit for thewarnmg device 30 as' herem -above de-- c b "From thefQ'regOin'gdescriptlon, it is ap- D'ar'entthat-nofmatter how the button 2 1s actuated; the m'emb'er 17 will engage the cup 10 eitherin a perpendicular(direction, in a lateral direction orjin a combinedperpem in. .5; dic'ular' and lateral directlon, each time making a rubbing contact therewith. I'From-this description, it is readily seen that the device is very-sensitive and that it will operate' to cause a rubbing; contact'between the ball-22 and the cup-"11 if the-bu-tton'2 is'pr'essed in any manner'whateweri- 1 r 1 I In illustrating m'y invention; I have chosen a "preferred form, butit' is to be understood that many ehangeeand modifications there of may be made; 1 therefore do, not desire to be limited to'th'e" exact structure as shown, but aim to cover all such changes and modifications as come within the spirit and" scope of the appended claim-sh" VVhat' I "claim; as new, and desire to secure by UnitedSt tes Letters Patent is:

YA circuitcloserof .tlie charactende scribed including a housing, a hollow-supporting member adapted to fit intosaifd housing, a member extending throughi-said housing; for holding her in posit'ion,an orificein the 'end portion of said supporting member; an insulating member,- a relatively 'stationary' contact cup secured to said insulatingmember and positio'ncd within said housing, saiidsupporting member holding ea-id f insulating member in position,- an actuating -eleinent provided with said'supporting-' memtion being slightly 'less insize 'tha'n 'thesize of the orifice in the supporting member, a

flange for isaidfactuatingmember fresting against; the end portion of Silld' supporting member; {amovable contact CRI'IIBd'bY said actuatingmemberfm engagementwithsaid cont-act cup, fan actuating button connected to said actuating (member, .and spring for yieldingrly hol ding said actu ating member in position I so that the movable i mate does contact carried by the be shifted in substantially a lateral direction eluding a supporting.

not normally contact with the contactcup, said actuating button having a portion extending down past the upper portion of the housing and being responsive to a force applied at any point on its upper surface to cause the flange of said actuating element to rock about said supporting member as a fulcrum, thereby causing said movable contact to engage the inner surface of said contact cup.

2. A circuit closer of the character described including a housing member, an inverted supporting member fitting within said housing member and having an orifice in the end thereof, a relatively stationary contact cup mounted within said housing and extending into said supporting member, an actuating element having an extended portion extending through the orifice in the supporting member and carrying a movable contact element extending into said contact cup, a flange for said actuating member resting against theend portion of said supporting member, an actuating button connected to said-actuating element, a helical spring resting against said actuating button and against saidsupporting member for yieldingly holding said actuatingelement in position, 'said actuating button adapted when moved to causezthe flange of the actuating element-torock about the said supporting member as a fulcrum to cause the movable actuatmg element to to contact with the stationary contact cup.

'A device of thecharacter described in element having an orifice in the end 'thereof, a contact cup tapered oflat its oneextremity to form a vconically shaped portion and extending'into said supporting element, an-actuating element-ha-vingat its one extremity a movable contact extending into said contact cup, an extended portion for said actuating element extending into the orifice in said supporting element, an outwardlyextended member for said actuating element, a spring member for yieldingly holding said actuating element in position; and an operating button associated with said actuating element and adapted when actuated .to cause the outwardly extending member of said actuating element to rock about the said supporting element which supports said actuating element as a fulcrum to cause the movable contact of the actuating element to contact with a plurality of points aroundthe inner surface of said cup member.

4:. A device of the character described including a housing, a cup adapted to fit into said housing and having an orifice in the end thereof, a groove in said cup, means extending through the wall of said housing into the groove in said cup for maintaining said cup in position, a contact cup ex- Vber abutting to be operated by force eluding a housing, a

tending into said first cup and held in position thereby, an actuating member carrying a movable contact extending into said contact cup, a flange for said actuating memagainst the end portion of said first cup, an extended portion for said actuating member extending through the said orifice in said first cup, an operating button connected to said actuating member adopted applied at any point around its periphery to move said movable contact into engagement with said contact cup, a downwardly extending flange for said actuating button extending over the upper portion of said housing, and a spring abutting against said operating button for yieldingly holding the same in position.

'5. A device of the character described insupporting member having an orifice in the end thereof extending into said housing, a depression in said supporting member, a member extending through said housing into said depression in said supporting member for holding the same in position, a disk of insulating material held in position by said supporting member, a contact cup extending into said supporting member and held in position by said disk of insulating material, an actuating member havinga movable contact extending into said contact cup, a flange for said actuating member abutting against the end portion of said supporting member, an extended portion for said actuating member extending through the said orifice in said supporting member, an operating button connected to said actuating member and adapted when actuated to cause the periphery ofthe flange of said actuating member to rock about said supporting member as a fulcrum, thereby causing the movable contact carried by the actuating member to contact with the inner surface of said contact cup, and a spring resting against said actuating button for yieldingly holding the same in position. i

V 6.'A device of the character described, including a hollow relatively stationary contact, an actuating member provided with a movable contact extending into said hollow stationary contact, a supporting member against which said actuating member abuts an actuating button connected to, said actuating member, a spring for yieldingly holding said actuating member inposition, said actuating button being adapted to move said movable contact vertically orsubstantially laterally into engagement with the innerperiphery of said hollow stationary contact.-

7. .Anelectrical circuit closer including a housing member, a cylindrical cup adapted to fit into said housing member, an ori fice in said cylindrical cup, a stationary cupshaped contact member mounted within said to said cylindrical cup and tact member, said actuating button adapted in said cylindrical cup,

positioned within said the diameter of said cylindrical cup, a movable actuating member'provided with an enlarged endportion positioned within saidcup, a shank for said actuating member. extending through said orifice and of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said orifice, an actuating {button secured to said movable actuating member,.:anda spring yieldingly holding said actuatingmember 1n. position relative stationary conto be op'erated by force applied at any point around its periphery to move the enlarged 'end'portion of said actuating member into contact with said contact cup.

8. Anelectrical. circuitcloser lncluding a housing member, a cylindrical cup, adapted to fit into saidhousing member, anorifice a stationary cupshaped contact member mounted within said cylindrical cup, a movable actuatingmember provided with an enlarged end portion cup, a shank for said actuating member extending through said orifice ando'f a diameter slightly less than orifice, an actuating button. secured to. said movable actuating member,- and a springryield'ablyholding said hold the same inposition,

actuating'member. in position relative to said cylindrical cup and stationary *contact member, said'actuating button adaptedtwhen a iforceis applied at any polnt around its peripheryto t lt the actuating member so that theuenlarged end portion of the actuating memberis shifted in substantially a lateral direction to contact with the-inner peripheralsurface of said contact:cup;

saidv stat onary contact cup injposition, an

actuating member provided with an annu- 'l an end p'or'tlon extending 1nto' sald contact cup *and having flange adapted to abut against'the end portion of said inverted cylindrical cup, a shank JEor: -sa1d actuating member extendingthrough the orifice in said inverted cylindrical cup, an actuating button tor movingsaid-actuating member vertically: or substantiallyjlaterally to cause itsenlarged'end portion to contact with the inner surface of said contact cup, and a helical" spring resting against "said button for said actuating presence of two witnesses.v

normally'yieldingly holding said actuating member in position. I Y

10. A device of the character described includinga hollow stationary contact, an actucontact, a supportingmember providedwith an orificeadapted to receive said actuating member, .a fiangeior said actuating member resting against said button connected to :said actuating member, a spring resting. against said supporting member and said button for maintaining member in position, said actuating button being adapted when actuated to cause'the. flange. ofsaid actuating member to rock about said supporting. member as a. fulcrum, thereby .causinglsaid mov ablecontactto engage said hollow stationary contact.

*ating member provided with a movable contact extend ng into said hollow stationary supporting member, a

11:. A; device oiizthe character described v including a. cylindrical supporting member having-an orifice 1n one'endthereof, an actuating member .provided with a cylindrical portion adapted Iflange for said actuating. member resting against said supporting member, a button connectedto one end of said actuating member, a. helical spring. resting against said supporting member and against said i'or'maintaining said actuating member in potosfit into said orifice, a

button I sition, a hollow stationary'-'contact,'- and an I enlarged end portion yfor said actuating member extending into said hollow stationary'contact.

12; A ClGVlCGOf the character described'including a cylindrical supporting member having an'orifice in one end thereof, an actuating member provided with acylindrical portion adapted'to flange for said .:actuating member resting against said supporting memberj-a button connected to .one e'nd of s aid'actu'atingmems ber, a helical spring resting against said supporting member maintaining said actuating member in posi- *tion,"a hollow stationary contact, and an enlarged end portion. arena actuating member-extending into said hollow stationary contact, the flange adapted to berrocked about the said supporting member as a fulcrum to cause the 'movable contact to engage the inner surface of said hollow stationary-contact.

. Signedaby me? Illinois, this 13th day di -April, 1917, in the GEORGE 1A.. YANOOHOWSKI, Witnesses: *A' 1 Y 'iMI R. LRoorrroan, M MAR'IE Bnnnm at Chicago, in the State of of said actuatingmember 

